Legend of Zang Hai Episode 17 Recap, Plot

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> Legend of Zang Hai Recap

Relying on the superb observational skills he had learned from his father Kuai Duo since childhood, Zang Hai not only helped the people of Central Zhou avoid the flood in time, but also completely crushed Chu Huaiming and finally gained the full trust of Zhuang Luyin. Even so, Zang Hai did not dare to let his guard down—he wanted to get even closer to Zhuang Luyin.

Gao Ming told Zang Hai to seize upon Zhuang Luyin’s weaknesses and shared with him Zhuang Luyin’s story. Zhuang Luyin had a childhood sweetheart and first love named Shen Wan. However, to revive the Zhuang family, he married Jiang Xiang, the daughter of the Minister of Rites Jiang Jin. When Zhuang Luyin led troops to the front lines and suffered a crushing defeat, Jiang Xiang refused to endure hardship with him and stayed in the capital with Zhuang Zhifu.

Shen Wan, disguised as a man, went to the border to care for her injured father and was accidentally recognized by Zhuang Luyin. The old flames rekindled, and they had a son—Zhuang Zhixing. When Zhuang Zhixing was five, Zhuang Luyin once again led troops to fight Dongxia, achieving a decisive victory this time. Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiang brought Zhuang Zhifu to the front lines, hoping to reconcile with Zhuang Luyin.

Shen Wan willingly stepped aside, and Jiang Xiang returned to her position as the matriarch of the Zhuang family. Jiang Jin and Jiang Xiang worked tirelessly to sabotage Zhuang Luyin’s relationship with Shen Wan. In the end, with Zhuang Luyin’s tacit approval, Jiang Xiang had Shen Wan poisoned. Zang Hai believed that the reason Zhuang Luyin had neglected Zhuang Zhixing was that he couldn’t face the guilt in his heart.

Zang Hai decided to use this to get closer to Zhuang Luyin’s inner world. Zhuang Luyin went to Shen Wan’s former residence and summoned Zang Hai. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, but a single plum tree stood proud. Zhuang Luyin remembered how Shen Wan had loved to grow plum blossoms in her lifetime. Seeing the tree brought back memories and stirred deep emotions.

Zang Hai advised him not to dwell on the past; tending to the plum tree could be his way of honoring the deceased’s wishes. Zhuang Luyin was deeply moved. He began showing more care to Zhuang Zhixing. Zhuang Zhixing knew all this was thanks to Zang Hai and was immensely grateful. Zang Hai encouraged him to work even harder, believing that he would surely earn Zhuang Luyin’s recognition.

Zhuang Luyin summoned Zang Hai to the treasury’s secret chamber and shared his hidden concerns. He suspected that Fu Zhisong had been murdered on the emperor’s orders and that the emperor intended to appoint him as the Grand Commander of Central Zhou. Zhuang Luyin was worried he might end up like Fu Zhisong but was also reluctant to give up military control of Central Zhou. Zang Hai advised him to wait and see for the time being.

Zhuang Luyin entrusted Zang Hai with finding the Gui Seal. The first defeat of his life had been because of the Gui Seal. Back then, Zhuang Luyin had led a series of victorious battles and was on the verge of capturing Dongxia’s capital. Unexpectedly, a group of monsters appeared. Zhuang Luyin personally led the charge, but the monsters slaughtered soldiers mercilessly, causing massive casualties among the Great Yong forces. Six years later, Zhuang Luyin led a successful campaign against Dongxia.

With the Gui Seal no longer protecting it, Dongxia was swiftly defeated and reclaimed. Zhuang Luyin heard that the geomancers of Great Yong had found the Gui Seal and even presented a copper fish, suspecting it was part of the Gui Seal. When Zang Hai saw the keepsake left by his father, he suppressed his grief and anger to maintain composure in front of Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin asked Zang Hai to help locate the Gui Seal.

Zang Hai seized the chance to inquire about the whereabouts of the other two copper fish, but Zhuang Luyin made vague excuses to evade the topic. Zang Hai turned to Gao Ming for information about the Gui Seal and learned that it was a sacred treasure given to the rulers of Dongxia by the Holy Mother of Kunlun—though all that might just be legend.

Still, Zang Hai wanted to use the Gui Seal and the copper fish to track down his third enemy. The emperor convened the military officials to discuss who should be appointed as Commander of Central Zhou. Zhuang Luyin feigned illness and did not attend. The emperor appointed Wuma Fu as the new Grand Commander of Central Zhou and also rewarded Zhuang Luyin with a thousand taels of silver.

Zhuang Luyin was in a great mood and recommended Zang Hai to the court. The court granted special approval for Zang Hai to become the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai expressed his gratitude to Zhuang Luyin, who also gifted him Chu Huaiming’s former residence. Zang Hai moved into Chu Huaiming’s old house and renamed it the Zang Residence. Gao Ming became his chief steward in name and in fact.

Early the next morning, Zang Hai officially took up his post at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. He couldn’t help but recall the memories of coming here to play with his father Kuai Duo as a child, and his heart was overwhelmed with emotion. The officials from each division of the Bureau gathered to welcome Zang Hai. Shi Quan, the head of the Post-Monitoring Division, was in the middle of handling Fu Zhisong’s remains.

The other officials went out of their way to flatter Zang Hai. He asked them to submit their files and briefed himself on the current state of affairs in each division. With a few words, Zang Hai sent them all off. Zang Hai then went straight to the Post-Monitoring Division, where Shi Quan was working on repairing Fu Zhisong’s body, surrounded by students observing the process.

Zang Hai asked to speak with Shi Quan alone, so Shi Quan dismissed the students. Zang Hai offered to assist Shi Quan, and the two of them worked seamlessly together, finishing the task quickly. Zang Hai praised Shi Quan’s skills, but Shi Quan remained indifferent. He said he didn’t care whether Zang Hai was there for fame or fortune—he only asked not to have his peace disturbed. Zang Hai had no choice but to leave in frustration.

On his first day at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Zang Hai found that the officials’ work ethic and morale were completely different from before. He was disappointed and decided to carry out a full reform of the Bureau. Gao Ming advised him not to act too hastily.

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